Lacquerware is a centuries-old craft that combines beauty and functionality, with Japanese lacquerware, or shikki, standing out for its craftsmanship and unique qualities. Made from natural urushi sap, it offers unmatched durability, heat retention, and a glossy finish that captivates the eye. In this article, we'll dive into the fascinating process behind Japanese lacquerware production, explore its diverse regional styles, and showcase three must-have lacquerware products. Keep reading to discover more about these timeless pieces and how to care for them so that they remain beautiful and functional for generations to come.
What Is Japanese Lacquerware?
Lacquerware is a decorative craft where natural lacquer is applied to objects like wood to create a protective, glossy surface. Japanese lacquerware, known as shikki, is made from urushi — an ancient Japanese natural paint derived from the sap of the urushi tree. Especially when using real urushi instead of moderen Cashew-brand lacquerware coatings, more care is required, but the jet black color achieved is unmatched in beauty. Lacquerware is also known for its excellent heat retention and insulation, making it durable and practical.
How Is Japanese Lacquer Made?
Japanese lacquer is made from the sap of the urushi tree, which is harvested by making shallow cuts in the tree's bark and collecting the oozing resin. The sap is then filtered, aged for 3–5 years, and refined through the kurome process, where it's heated and dehydrated. Pigments are added to create colors like black, vermilion, and brown. The lacquer is applied in thin layers and cured in a warm, humid environment. Cured urushi is durable, water-resistant, and antibacterial.
Variety of Japanese Lacquerware
Regional styles of Japanese lacquerware often have distinctive characteristics in terms of materials, techniques, designs, and finishes. Many are even recognized as traditional Japanese crafts and represent important cultural heritage.
Aizu Lacquerware
Aizu, located in Fukushima Prefecture, is renowned for its active production of lacquerware that depicts elegant yet practical designs, often incorporating floral patterns like peonies. Aizu lacquerware features fine, shallow carvings and techniques like tetsusabi-nuri (rust lacquer), kinmushikui-nuri (rice chaff patterns), and beautiful keshifun maki-e that feature butterflies and bamboo. Maki-e is a decorative technique where lacquer is used to create designs sprinkled with gold or silver powder to add a luxurious finish.
Please take a look at our best-selling Aizu lacquerware products:
Lacquerware Box "Plum blossoms" Size 11.0 Ko-bai
Lacquerware Music box "Cherry blossoms" Square Size 6.5 Sakura
Blog: The spread of mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer in Japan
Takaoka Lacquerware
Takaoka, located in Toyama Prefecture, is renowned as a metal processing town, with its tradition reflected in lacquerware through techniques like engraving. Key methods for producing Takaoka lacquerware include:
Aogai-nuri: Thin seashell slivers are used for intricate patterns with a blue glow.
Yusuke-nuri: Chinese-style designs are featured with rust lacquer.
Chokoku-nuri: Wood carvings are coated with lacquer for a 3D effect.
At Kyoto Handicraft Center, our Takaoka lacquerware is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays using shells from Toyama Bay, such as aku shells, luminescent shells, butterfly shells, and peacock shells. Aku shells exhibit a stunning blue and pink hue, while luminescent shells offer a calm, elegant luster. The unique pearl colors blend beautifully with the lacquer, creating a distinctive shine.
Please take a look at our best-selling Takaoka lacquerware products:
Lacquerware Storage Box with Raden "Ko-Rin Ume (Plum Blossoms)"
Small Lquerware Box with Raden "Cherry Blossoms"
Lacquerware Pen Box with Raden
Yamanaka Lacquerware
Yamanaka lacquerware from Yamanaka Onsen in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is celebrated for its fine craftsmanship. It features intricate techniques such as sensu-jibiki (thousand ridges), shudame-nuri (vermilion base lacquer), and koma-nuri (colored rings). The lacquerware uses woods like zelkova and Japanese cherry birch, combining natural wood grain with elegant maki-e decorations. The deep color of the multi-layer coating is especially attractive, while transparent lacquer products are popular for showcasing the beauty of the wood grain. Though thin and lightweight, the delicate wood is highly durable and ideal for various tableware, including bowls.
At Kyoto Handcraft Center, we mainly handle everyday items such as tableware and lunch boxes. Please take a look at our best-selling Yamanaka lacquer products:
Lacquerware Bowl Set of 5p "Chloranthus japonicus" Hanasizuka
Wakasa Lacquerware
Wakasa lacquerware, or Wakasa-nuri, from Obama City in Fukui Prefecture, is celebrated for its stunning mother-of-pearl decorations. By embedding shell pieces into the lacquer and polishing them, a unique pattern with a sparkling shine is created, making the lacquerware visually striking. The craft uses togidashi maki-e to layer lacquer for distinctive designs.Some pieces are handmade through a process involving over 60 steps, ensuring durability and suitability for daily use.
Wakasa lacquerware is especially famous for chopsticks, and our store features a range of products, including mother-of-pearl inlays, gold and silver leaf designs, and modern styles. Please take a look at our best-selling Wakasa lacquerware products:
Chopsticks Set of 2P "Wave"
Chopsticks Set of 2P "Mother-of-pearl inlay"
Tsugaru Lacquerware
Tsugaru lacquerware, or Tsugaru-nuri, from Aomori Prefecture, is renowned for its durability and refined elegance. Crafted from Tsugaru cypress, it includes styles like kara-nuri (speckled patterns), nanako-nuri (small patterns), monsha-nuri (charcoal and black lacquer), and nishiki-nuri (complex patterns). Some pieces may require up to 50 steps and two months to finish. Initially used for samurai sword sheaths, the style now includes trays, bowls, and modern items like iPhone cases.
Please take a look at our best-selling Tsugaru lacquerware products:
Chopsticks Set of 2P "Faint Cloud"
Wajima Lacquerware
"Wajima lacquerware, or Wajima-nuri, from Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a prestigious Japanese lacquerware craft. Known for its exceptional durability, Wajima lacquerware features a lacquer and jinoko base, and showcases decorative techniques such as chinkin (gold leaf patterns) and maki-e (lacquer with gold/silver powder). Some pieces require over 100 steps in the production process, taking months to years to complete, with highly specialized artisans at each stage. This lacquerware is celebrated for its beauty and durability despite challenges like declining artisans and materials.
Please take a look at our best-selling Wajima lacquerware products:
Chopsticks Set of 2P with Rests "The Eve of the Full Moon & Cherry blossoms"
Kanazawa Lacquerware
Kanazawa lacquerware, or Kanazawa shikki, from Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a prestigious craft renowned for its elaborate maki-e techniques, including hiramaki-e (flat gold/silver lacquer), tokidashi maki-e (polished gold/silver lacquer), takamaki-e (embossed gilt lacquer work), and shishiai tokidashi maki-e (combination of takamaki-e and tokidashi maki-e). This lacquerware is celebrated for its quality and extravagant patterns and reflects Kanazawa's cultural heritage and adapts to modern tastes while preserving traditional techniques.
Echizen Lacquerware
Echizen lacquerware, or Echizen shikki, from Fukui Prefecture is known for its luster and refined brilliance, combining durability with elegance using techniques like maki-e (lacquer with gold/silver powder). The production involves multiple artisans and can take months. Recognized as a traditional Japanese craft, Echizen lacquerware is essential in Japan's food service industry and has been adapted to modern needs with mass production and innovative designs while retaining traditional methods and materials like Echizen cypress.
Top 3 Recommended Japanese Lacquerware Products
Here are three recommended Japanese lacquerware products, each showcasing traditional lacquerware's exquisite craftsmanship and timeless appeal.
Bowls
Japanese lacquerware bowls are not only renowned for their smooth, glossy finish and durability but are lightweight, water-resistant, and insulate heat well. They come in regional styles such as Wajima-nuri and Echizen shikki, often featuring colors like black and vermilion, and decorative techniques like maki-e (lacquer with gold/silver powder). Used for soups, rice, and tea ceremonies, they are ideal for at-home use or serving both Japanese and international cuisine at restaurants. With a history of over 1,000 years, these bowls blend functionality with artistry, adapting modern aesthetics while preserving tradition.
Recommended Products:
Lacquered Wooden Noodle Bowl "Red" is versatile and suitable for both rice and ramen.
Lacquerware Bowl Set of 5p "Chloranthus japonicus" Hanasizuka showcases a set of bowls with lids for five people at an affordable price.
Chopsticks
Japanese lacquerware chopsticks are crafted from wood like Malas, zelkova, or cypress, coated with multiple layers of urushi lacquer for durability and shine. They have a smooth, glossy finish, are heat-resistant, and come in traditional colors such as black and red. Decorative techniques may include maki-e (lacquer with gold/silver powder), eggshells, or mother-of-pearl, with patterns like cherry blossoms. Renowned regional styles include Wakasa lacquerware from Fukui Prefecture. They are often gifted for weddings or housewarmings and are suitable for daily use and special occasions.
Recommended Products:
Chopsticks Set of 2P "Wave" features a bright wave pattern and chopstick rest.
Chopsticks Set of 2P "Mother-of-pearl inlay" features a simple yet attractive design decorated with mother-of-pearl.
Jubako Boxes
Japanese lacquerware boxes, or jubako, are multi-tiered containers used for serving food during special occasions like New Year. Typically square or rectangular, these boxes come in two to five tiers and are made from wood coated with urushi lacquer for durability and water resistance. They often feature intricate designs such as maki-e (lacquer with gold/silver powder) and raden (mother-of-pearl inlay). Jubako are used for traditional foods like osechi, as well as for weddings and other celebrations.
Apart from jubako, lacquerware boxes, such as music boxes, are designed as desk accessories or jewelry cases, with a unique black lacquer color adding a touch of luxury. These boxes are functional and serve as highly decorative interior accessories. A cherry blossom pattern, Japan's national flower, is particularly popular, and Aizu lacquerware showcases this with a beautiful luster.
Recommended Products:
Lacquerware Three-layer box "Plum blossoms" Size 6.5 Ko-bai Hand painting
Lacquerware Music Box "Cherry Blossoms" Flat Size 8.0 Sakura
Lacquerware Box "Cherry Blossoms" S312
How to Handle Japanese Lacquerware
So far, we have explored various types of Japanese lacquerware, from bowls and chopsticks to jubako and decorative boxes. Now, let's focus on how to properly care for your lacquerware and important precautions to ensure its long-lasting beauty.
How to Care for Japanese Lacquerware
Here are important tips for caring for Japanese lacquerware.
Washing: Hand wash with mild soap and lukewarm water. Avoid soaking, dishwashers, and scrubbing pads. Dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Usage: Avoid very hot foods and cutting directly on surfaces. Handle carefully to prevent scratches.
Maintenance: Wipe with a soft cloth, apply vegetable oil occasionally, and repair damage professionally.
General Care: Use clean hands, avoid acidic foods, and use non-abrasive cleaners.
Proper care ensures that Japanese lacquerware lasts for generations with its beauty intact.
How to Store Japanese Lacquerware
Daily-use lacquerware should be stored in a cupboard away from direct sunlight. High temperatures and dryness can harm lacquerware, so keep it away from heating or air conditioning.
For infrequently used items, like jubako boxes or sake cups, wrap them in soft cloth or tissue paper and store them in a box if possible.
Enjoy Japan's Culture Through Traditional Lacquerware
Lacquerware is available worldwide, but as explored throughout this article, Japanese lacquerware stands out for its unmatched craftsmanship, rich history, and refined beauty. From bowls and chopsticks to jubako boxes, these pieces are more than just functional — they represent a unique blend of artistry and durability. Each item, crafted with urushi sap and decorated using traditional techniques like maki-e and raden, embodies Japan's deep cultural heritage. With proper care, your lacquerware will remain a beautiful and practical addition to your home for generations.
Explore our articles on traditional Japanese ceramics and glassware if you're also interested in traditional Japanese tableware beyond lacquerware.